Students to go on rampage if… former CHASS Gen. Sec warns

A former General Secretary of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has reiterated that they would not be able to feed students if the Ministry of Education insist feeding fees should be reduced from GH¢2.50 to GH¢1.80.

Mr Felix Essar Hianu explained on Joy FM’s Top Story that the directive would not be feasible because the amount being charged also covers things such as fuel, utensils and other auxiliary expenses.

He said considering the expenses enumerated above, the “realistic feeding fees should be GH¢3” and not the GH¢2.50, which they are even being asked to reduce.

Mr Hianu warned of mass demonstration across the nation if the students are not well fed.

“And what would be the implication? If we are not able to feed the students well and they agitate that the food is not good and they go on rampage, who suffers? …the headmasters and headmistresses will suffer most. And if the schools are closed down, nationwide, what happens?”

Meanwhile, the Education Minister, Lee Ocran Tuesday threatened to demote, sack or transfer any headmaster refusing to comply with the directive. Nevertheless, CHASS have emphasised that the directive will severely affect the quality of meals served the students.

Meanwhile, a document available to Joy News shows that the GH¢2.50 being charged by the headmasters was duly approved by the Ghana Education Service.

The letter dated 10th October 2012 was signed by Mr Stephen Adu, Acting Deputy Director General (M&S) for Director General. It was copied to the Minister of Education.